Morellino di Scansano, Superiore arrives on the market

The Morellino di Scansano DOCG is preparing to launch the 'Superiore' label on the market. The new denomination, with its publication in the Official Gazette, renders effective the changes to the production regulations approved by the members' assembly in 2025. The announcement was made during Chianti Lovers & Rosso Morellino, the annual event dedicated to previews of new vintages.

"With the Superior mention," commented the President of the Consorzio del Morellino di Scansano, Bernardo Guicciardini Calamai, "we reinforce our path of valorisation, continuing to focus on ever greater selection and identity. This is a concrete sign of our desire to continue investing in the quality and recognisability of our coastal Sangiovese, offering the market a guarantee of consistency and value".

Morellino di Scansano Docg is produced on about 1,500 hectares of vineyards (30% of which are registered as organic) in lower coastal Tuscany. There are more than 320 producers in total, 201 of which are enrolled in the protection consortium. Annual production ranges b>between 70 thousand and 100 thousand hectolitres, equivalent to an average of about 9 million bottles, 30% of which are sold abroad. The production value is estimated at around 50 million euros. But - above all - last year and in spite of the negative economic situation for red wines, Morellino recorded +4% in bottlings. A positive and counter-trend figure. With Superiore, a new wine is not born, but the aim is to give a precise identity and recognisability to a type that in fact already existed. "Many of the consortium member companies," added Guicciardini Calamai, "had already been producing an intermediate wine between the types identified as Annata and Riserva for some time, but which had never been identified and described in detail. With this step we make its identity official'.

The new Superiore term identifies a type that envisages a minimum use of 85% Sangiovese, with the possibility of using other non-aromatic black grapes up to a maximum of 15%. It is characterised by lower maximum yields than the vintage version and a longer ageing period. The minimum time for release for consumption is set at 1 January of the second year following the harvest.

Refinement and marketing methods that favour a greater structure and expressive complexity, while maintaining the characteristics of freshness and balance that are the hallmarks of Morellino di Scansano.